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Brick Vs. Hardie Board

Posted on November 8, 2022 2:15 PM

Hardie Board vs. Brick: Which Is a Better Building Material?

Your home's appearance matters as much as its strength. Not only does the look of your house greatly affect curb appeal, but it can also influence your home's resale value should you ever put it on the market.

Hardie board, a building material James Hardie Industries introduced in the 1980s, is a fiber cement material that has gained popularity in recent years for its functional and stylistic properties. As homeowners evaluate all the building materials available for their next build or purchase, it's wise to know the qualities of each option, including the differences between Hardie board and brick.

Building with Hardie Board vs. Brick

When comparing Hardie board vs. brick, there are a few things to understand about each:

Hardie Board is Heavy

Hardie board consists of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers (the same fibers that are commonly found in baby diapers) that make for a substantially heavy material. Each plank weighs 2.3 pounds per square foot, meaning an 8" long plank weighs 18.4 pounds. Hardie board is too heavy to install alone. It requires multiple people and specialized tools for proper installation, which increases labor costs.

Brick is a relatively light material in comparison, and the small design of each brick allows for quick and manageable installation, making the installation process manageable, even with only one person!

Hardie Board is Expensive

Hardie board can cost an average of $1-$6 per square foot of material, which can add up. Plus, it involves detailed planning and more workers on site for installation. Combine the material price with the additional building and labor costs, and homeowners can expect an expensive price tag once the siding installation is complete.

The cost of brick, mortar, and labor costs are about the same cost per square foot. So why wouldn’t you go with a product that is far more durable, long lasting, that has low-maintenance qualities which make it a much more beneficial and cost-effective choice over time.

Hardie Board Requires Maintenance

Although Hardie board comes with a 15-year warranty, homeowners must cover the cost of board replacement, scraping, priming, and painting after the initial 15 years.

Brick requires virtually no maintenance or upkeep. Under proper supervision and minimal maintenance, brick buildings and structures can last hundreds of years.

Hardie Board Is Breakable

If not handled properly, Hardie board can crack or break, destroying an entire plank. Homeowners who install a cracked plank of Hardie board, even if it only has a tiny nick, will eventually experience warping issues and other costly problems, especially after rain exposure. Remember what we mentioned above about cellulose fibers, think about what happens when a diaper is exposed to wet, it swells… The same thing happens to Hardie Board.

Brick is extremely hard to damage or destroy. Units do not crack easily, especially after installation, and brick siding withstands damage to all sorts of weather and harsh conditions. Water does not affect brick, even if an individual unit has a chip or nick. One other great thing about brick is after it is wet, the sun will pull the excess moisture from brick. Plus, if a brick does experience damage, it can be recycled and reformed into more brick.

From its curb appeal to its long-lasting durability, brick remains an excellent building material for new homes and structures.

Talk to Cherokee Brick about our variety of styles and colors and discover why brick is the right choice for your next project.

We offer many different brick styles with qualities that bring attraction and longevity to your next project. See our brick at work and tell us about your construction plans today: 877-277-2745.